Gangplank's Declining Influence

Andrew followed Sarah to the cockpit. The less than a hundred-meter distance left him breathless.

After the dual torment of mind and body during the day, simply being able to walk was a feat. It was the Will to Survive that kept him going this far.

"You are..." Raven recognized Andrew, his eyes filled with anger. He had led many encirclement and suppression operations against Miss Fortune before.

"You're still alive?"

"Your mission is to teach them how to operate the 'Leviathan,' and explain the functions of all the devices in this room."

"The faster they learn, the higher your chance of survival. Understand?" Sarah's tone was commanding.

Andrew finally couldn't hold on any longer and sat back on the ground, his voice weak.

"Yes... of course, I can. It's precisely because I'm most familiar with the 'Leviathan' that Gangplank sent me."

"But can I have a drink of water first? And maybe some bread? I'm really at my limit now..."

His head swayed precariously, as if he would fall asleep at any moment.

"To be someone's prisoner, and you still dare to make so many demands?" Raven glared, filled with intense hatred for Andrew.

"Calm down, Raven," Sarah soothed.

"Do as he says. The urgent priority now is to learn how to operate the 'Leviathan.' Without him, this ship will remain stranded at sea."

"...As you command, Captain." Raven forcibly suppressed his anger and left the cockpit to find water and food in the hold.

Then Sarah instructed Chief Engineer Sanchez, "I'll send two more sailors to watch him. You two work hard tonight. Don't let him hold anything back, and get the ship moving as soon as possible."

"As you command, Captain!"

Three days later.

Hark didn't dare to delay for a moment. Before the ship had even fully docked, he urgently jumped ashore and headed straight for Gangplank's manor.

During the three-day return voyage, he hadn't slept a wink.

He never imagined that a simple tracking mission would completely change his worldview!

Hark piloted the Disguised Cargo Ship, always keeping the 'Siren' within sight, and contacting the 'Leviathan' once every half-day.

Only after leaving Bilgewater a sufficient distance did the 'Leviathan' go full throttle, circling around to intercept the 'Siren' from ahead.

Seeing the 'Leviathan' getting closer and closer, Hark's courage grew. He sailed to a closer distance, where he could see the details of the entire process with his Telescope.

But what did he see?

He saw the Mysterious Man with Greatsword on the Leviathan, slaughtering everyone.

He saw a Magic Barrier erected in front of the Siren, blocking all Cannon Fire.

He saw people constantly jumping into the sea to escape.

He saw the Leviathan finally fall silent, no more Cannonballs fired, no more shouts of Slashing.

"Quick! Retreat!" Hark shouted with all his might. He didn't want to stay in this sea area for another second!

Stumbling, he ran to the Manor Gate. Without stopping to rest, he panted and said to the Guard, "Quick, tell Mr. Gangplank, Hark is back!"

Inside the manor, Hark recounted everything he had seen and heard to Gangplank in detail.

"It was my oversight. I didn't expect that Bald Mage to be so powerful," Gangplank said, his face grim.

"Having just one of them would allow Miss Fortune to walk all over Bilgewater. If both of them were to obey Miss Fortune, then only if all Four Great Legends obeyed you..."

"Hmph, so you're saying you're scared out of your wits and want to defect to Miss Fortune?"

Gangplank leaned forward, his eyes cruel, as if he might lunge and grab Hark's neck at any moment.

"No, no..." Hark broke out in a cold sweat, unsure how to explain.

"Those two won't be permanently stationed on Miss Fortune's ship; they're just passing through," Gangplank leaned back against the Chair Back.

"When she returns to Bilgewater, those two definitely won't be on the ship. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense. After the Bald Mage boarded, Miss Fortune left Bilgewater, clearly to drop him off."

"What about the man carrying the greatsword?" Hark wiped his face. "He's been on Miss Fortune's ship recently."

"Don't you see? The Mysterious Man with Greatsword and the Bald Mage are on the same level."

"He's been on Miss Fortune's ship for so long just to wait for the Bald Mage to arrive. They're going to Ionia together!"

"It's not strange for people of this level to know each other. I was just unlucky to attack Miss Fortune before they left."

Wasn't it because you misjudged their strength... Hark muttered inwardly, but didn't dare say it aloud.

"When they disembark in Ionia, even if Miss Fortune steals the Leviathan, it won't make up for the gap between her and the Iron Gulch Gang!"

"Getting out is easy, but getting in is hard. I have the Geographical Advantage. She has no Supplies out there; let's see how long she can last!"

Hark was unimpressed. Having witnessed power beyond human limits, he felt that no matter how strong Gangplank was, he was just an ordinary person.

Seeing Gangplank's confident expression, Hark decided to gradually reduce his contact with Gangplank until it was completely severed.

He had already determined that Miss Fortune was the ultimate victor, and Gangplank would lose everything.

After witnessing that battle with your own eyes, could you still say such things?

It wasn't enough to rely on myself alone. Right, I need to tell Crow and Old Blow about this.

The three of us forming an alliance would put us on par with the Iron Gulch Gang in terms of manpower. The only gap would be in naval combat power and "The Dreadnought."

But distancing myself from Gangplank is imperative! It'll be too late once Miss Fortune takes the stage. Cutting losses in time is the best option!

Just as Hark's thoughts were wandering, Gangplank slowly said, "I hope you're a smart man. Bury everything you've seen, and don't mention it to anyone. Otherwise, you should understand your fate."

"Ah, of course, of course. You know, among the leaders of the major gangs, I'm the smartest. I know best what constitutes a smart choice."

Hark's expression remained calm as he verbally agreed.

That's right, what's the smartest choice? It's Miss Fortune, of course!

I don't believe your informants can cover every corner of Bilgewater!

After leaving Gangplank's manor and returning to his own stronghold headquarters, Hark ordered his subordinates to send a letter to Crow and Old Blow.

They arranged to meet at an abandoned warehouse in the Slaughter Docks, but the purpose of the meeting was not stated.

"Sorry, Gangplank, you have no idea what you're up against."

Hark sat in the dimly lit room, talking to himself.

Without those two monsters, Gangplank was destined to lose to Miss Fortune anyway.

Besides, even if those two monsters weren't around, who knows when they might return?

With them backing him, Gangplank wants to dream of being king? Go to hell!